News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday September 1st 2024
With Necessity as the Mother of Invention, Brothers “Rack-Up” Success
The infamous Seward racks at the Co-op
by Megan Sheridan
It all started at the University of Minnesota”'s Campus Security. As Rolf Scholtz and his brother Derk used to patrol the Twin Cities CamÂpus, they would notice how unappealing and dysfunctional the bike racks were ”“ as far as they could tell, the market for aesthetically appealing, U-lock compatible bike racks was wide open. After spending some time out of college in an ecoÂnomic development position, Rolf, along with his artistically inclined brother started Dero Bike Racks, now at 2657 32nd Ave S. And since 1995, they have been producing racks that are shipped all across the country as well as other parts of the world.
The foundation of Dero”'s work is based on functionality and artistic appeal: all Dero racks are U-lock compatible, so users are assured that their bikes are safe; and all Dero racks are aesthetically attractive, so architects and planners can integrate them as visible aspects of their designs.
Dero Bike Racks is also firmly rooted in the community. The original office was located at Seven Corners, directly above Bullwinkle”'s Saloon and warehousing located in Phillips. The company”'s first real break was when they worked with Uptown to do one of the nation”'s first large-scale artistic bike rack installation.… Read the rest “With Necessity as the Mother of Invention, Brothers “Rack-Up” Success”
November Phillips What? Where?
November Hint: Out of an explosion order appears
Tell us correctly What and Where this is in PHILLIPS Community and you will get a chance at a drawing for a $10. Gift Certificate to Welna Hardware on Bloomington Ave. One winner for each will be drawn. Call or write: 612-990-4022 or via e-mail or The Alley P.O. Box 7006, Mpls, MN 55407
November HINT:
Out of an explosion order appears.
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Update on the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center
By Brad Pass, Chair, East Phillips Park Community Design Team
On October 1st, the bids for the new East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center were opened. Of the thirteen bidding construction companies, not one bid exceeded the money we have available for the project and the three lowest bids came in sufficiently low so as to allow us to include EVERTHING we had cut weeks ago when we were concerned about pre-bid estimates.
We had sadly cut the Elderly and Family Gathering Space, amounting to 1,000 Sq Ft from the south end of the building. Then we eliminated sound insulating material in the gym. We eliminated all the appliances and the ventilation and make-up air system from the Kitchen along with many other less noticeable cost cutting measures including the elimination of the exterior plaza sitting wall. As a result of this, we were able to reduce the estimated building costs by just enough to warrant putting out the bids to the building construction industry. The bids were to go out in early September with a deadline of October 1st. Then, on Sept. 3rd, we were informed that our figures did not include money for a contingency fund. An additional $150,000 would be needed.… Read the rest “Update on the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center”
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